Odessa Childs Killian Hall

The Life of 

Odessa Childs Killian Hall

ODESSA CHILDS KILLIAN HALL was born February 19, 1935. She departed this earthly life on July 20, 2026 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC. She was born in Simpsonville, South Carolina to the late Walter Childs, Sr. and Liberty Washington Childs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Roger Killian; and five grandchildren Anastasia Idasse Sudderth, Maggie Wilfong, Phoenix Wilfong, Kristopher Killian and Alesia Killian-Harris. Her sister, Sarah Mae Scott; her brothers Calvin Washington, James Childs, Ralph Childs, and Walter Childs, III. She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-love Viola Linda Killian and her sister-in loves: Janice Childs, Evelyn Childs. Irma Childs and Dorothy Childs.

She moved to Hickory, NC with her parents at a young age, where she attended East Hickory School and Ridgeview High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and served faithfully at her Church home, Clinton Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church. She served for many years and under multiple Pastors. She served on the Usher Board, sang in the Angelic Gospel Choir and on the Praise Team. She moved to California and united with the Greater Cooper A.M.E. Zion Church in Oakland, California where she also served in the choir and performed custodial services. She moved back to Hickory and reunited with Clinton Tabernacle. Upon relocating back to California, she became a devoted member of the Glad Tidings Commnity Church where she attended faithfully.

Her employment in Hickory included working in a hosiery mill, Hickory Manufacturing Company for over 15 years, General Electric, a marine painter in St. Augustine, Florida; restaurant work, with Hickory Daily Record being her last stop. Throughout her years of employment, her work ethic was impeccable.

There were “glass ceiling moments” within the “male dominated” General Electric transformer plant, as well as the St. Augustine intercoastal waterway, but she was unashamedly black and an unapologetically beautiful woman, trendsetter and trailblazer who shattered systemic barriers and gender stereotypes to achieve unprecedented success as “one of the first” within these male-dominated arenas. She was proud of her groundbreaking accomplishments which prepared the way for future generations.

She was very athletic as well. She played on the East Hickory Softball team and was a lifelong “champion bowler” at both Hickory Manufacturing Company and General Electric.

Her hobbies included being a voracious reader, listening to music, singing, collecting pictures and other trinkets.

She cherished her daily routine of spending quality time in the Bible, praying and reading her devotional books.

She loved to cook and frequently hosted Sunday dinners in Hickory, Florida and California with up to 30 people in attendance. She never turned anyone away, but the requirement were to bring an appetite and clean your plate.

Odessa is survived by her loving children Sylvia E. Wilfong of Hickory NC; William D. Killian, Jr. of Hickory NC; Josephine E. Killian of High Point, NC; Clinton Killian (Katrina) of Oakland, CA and Alesia Irene Killian Sudderth (Benjamin, Jr.) of Douglasville, GA. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren, along with her baby brother, Thomas E. Childs of Jacksonville, NC; baby sister, Linda D. Childs of New York, NY; sister-in-love, Eva Childs of Waterford, CT; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Look For Me In Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky. In the morning sunrise when all the world is new, Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky. In the evening sunset, when all the world is through. Just look for me and love me, l'll be close to you.

It won't be forever, the day will come and then, my loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye; look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment, and all your whole life through. Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you. Just wish me to be near you, And I will be there with you.

Her Beloved Children 

We love you, Mama! Thank you for the love, the teachings, the life lessons, the structure, the chastisement, the discipline. You ran a very tight ship and for that we’re thankful and so grateful that God gave you strength to work two jobs to ensure we were taken care of. Family time was our highlight on the weekends. Saturdays was our cleaning day, we played outside all day to allow you time to rest, reset and cook. The evening included getting ready for Sunday, talent shows, listening to music, eating roasted peanuts and watching TV shows. Sunday was our day of worship starting with Sunday School, Church, family pictures, delicious family dinner and then attend the afternoon program. The Lord was our provider and our guide and Mama was our orchestrator. She coordinated us from the oldest to the youngest. We were multiple instruments that she unified as a complete ensemble. 

She traveled a long journey, sometimes hard, but we discovered that it was nobody but the Lord maintaining her, sustaining her, providing for her, protecting her, shielding her, rebuilding her, restoring her, molding and shaping her into the strong, tenacious, determined and unstoppable woman she became. 

Now she’s free and safe in the arms of Jesus. No more sickness, no more pain, no more crying, no more strain. Now life must go on in the physical, but Mama will always be with us in the spiritual and we will forever keep her in our hearts.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Clinton Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Church with Reverend Debra Goodlett, Officiant and Reverend Dr. Anthony J. Freeman, Pastor, Eulogist

Family Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at 2:00 p.m. at the church. 

Family Quiet Hour will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary, 147 5th Street Court SE Hickory, NC.  

Dirk M Thompson Mortuary is serving the Childs, Killian, Hall family (828) 323-1980 www.dirkmthompsonmortuary.com

Zoom link: ID 584 193 7045 Passcode: Odessa

Phone: 1 646 931 3860

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